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Highlighting Essential Vulvodynia

They are some skin aliments that affect only a certain cross-section of the population, and a particular age group. It is important to monitor any symptoms that you might have and report any changes in your skin or body to your doctor.

Essential Vulvodynia is a chronic, sensation of burning and irritation of the vulva. The individual who is inflicted with this can develop bumps or blisters on the hands and fingers. They can also have bumps and sores in the vulva area that can be red and inflamed. This illness is not contagious or life-threatening aliment. However, it can make normal activities, such as biking, exercising, walking or even sex very uncomfortable and painful for the individual inflicted with the aliment.

Who can get them?

Essential Vulvodynia occurs in postmenopausal women. It is common in women of light-skinned complexion and they are usually of Northern or Eastern European descent.

What can cause them?

The exact cause of Essential Vulvodynia is unknown. They are a combination of factors that can cause this pain and skin aliment. Some of those factors include psychological ones, and women who in the past have experienced regular yeast infections or other types of infections.

How does it happen?

Essential Vulvodynia is characterized as a painful, burning sensation of the vulva. The area also becomes red and inflamed, and red, scaly patches will appear in the area. The rash can be very painful and sore to the touch.

Where do they appear?

Essential Vulvodynia appears on the vulva of women, this includes the labia, clitoris, and the opening of the vagina. It can extend to the thighs, buttock, the urethra, and the rectum.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of Essential Vulvodynia include but are not limited to the following. A painful discomfort in the vulva area, the area experiences a burning, itching, and aching sensation. A rash or scaly patches can appear in the area. Depression can also be a symptom, as a result of the chronic pain and the halt to normal activities.

How can it be diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical exam, to rule out some other cause of the pain. First, they will swab the vulva area to check for any signs of an infection that might be present. This is also used to rule out any other illness. Secondly, the doctor could remove a small piece of the tissue from the area, and view it under a microscope. This is taking a biopsy of the inflicted area, and can confirm the diagnosis.

What treatments are available for Essential Vulvodynia?

While there is no known cure for Essential Vulvodynia, some treatments are available that can help to reduce some of the symptoms that come along with this illness. Not all treatments work on every woman, and sometimes it take awhile to find the proper treatment that will work for you. Many times it will clear up on it’s on, but it can reappear again, this why getting treatment is necessary.

First, your doctor may ask you to avoid certain soaps and harsh detergents; these can further irritate the area, and inflame the rash. Second, steroid creams and lotions are usually prescribed to run on the affected area. Since this is a steroid it will have to be applied very carefully, as the skin in that area is extremely sensitive and you do not want to make it worse. Thirdly, your doctor could recommend certain antidepressant drugs and pain management medication, as another form of treatment. Some of these medications and drugs recommended could have some serious side effects, so doctors will need to watch the individual carefully, once these are prescribed. Finally, if all treatments fail, surgery can be conducted as a rare option.

Individuals should remember that your skin is the most exposed part of your body. It is also the most sensitive and can react to any change in our systems. It is important that a person seek out medical attention, if they develop any sort of strange growth, rash or pain in our skin. While in most cases these are simple and non life threatening aliments, it is always better to have a doctor take and look, and make sure.